Irish boxing icon Barry McGuigan continues to charm viewers on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! His unique sense of humour and light-hearted approach have endeared him to fans. But his career was far from ordinary. At the height of his prowess, he was the feared 'Clones Cyclone', boasting an impressive record. He won 32 out of 35 fights before retiring in 1989, with an astonishing 27-bout winning streak from 1981 to 1986. As an amateur, he represented Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games in 1978 and Ireland at the Moscow Olympics two years later. Hailing from County Monaghan, he became a UK citizen to compete for British titles.

Professional Success and Titles

At the professional level, McGuigan achieved greatness. In 1985, he became the world featherweight champion by defeating Eusebio Pedroza of Panama and held the title until the following year when he lost to American Steve Cruz in Nevada. His first major title came in 1983 when he won the vacant British featherweight title. Later that same year, he added the vacant European belt to his collection. These titles remained with him until 1985, the same year he was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.Two decades later, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. However, his career is not without scars. The bone in his nose was replaced by plastic due to being broken numerous times. But one tragic bout in 1982 still haunts him.

The 1982 Tragic Bout

In 1982, McGuigan fought Nigerian boxer Young Ali at London's Grosvenor Hotel. He won by a knockout in six rounds, but Ali then collapsed and slipped into a coma. The 21-year-old was flown back to Lagos on life support but passed away in hospital six months later without meeting his newborn child. This tragedy left McGuigan devastated. In his autobiography 'Cyclone', he recounted the details. "I came out for that round thinking, right, I am going to go and get him now. I stepped up and began to set about him. This time, Ali started to wilt and I hit him with the long right hand, right on the nose. I had hit him with a couple beforehand and he was starting to go so I went bom, bom… Bam! I hit him and the reaction was incredible. His head swung around and he just fell down." As he recalled Ali not getting up even after the count, he added, "The doctors were in there immediately, they didn't have paramedics or stretchers in those days. They crowded over for three or four minutes, I was beginning to wonder what was going on." "I remember someone coming over to me and saying, 'This kid, this kid is badly hurt.' I couldn't believe it. 'You must be joking' I replied. 'No' he said, 'he's very badly hurt'. I just thought, 'oh my God.'"

Aftermath and Legacy

After Ali's death, McGuigan successfully campaigned for new safety measures to be introduced at boxing matches. Less than three years later, he dedicated his world title win to the late Nigerian fighter, breaking down in tears on live TV. "It was an important moment, simple as that, and I was hugely emotional," he said. "It meant a lot to me that at the moment of my biggest victory, I was able to remember Young Ali in that way." His story is a testament to the highs and lows of a boxing legend's life and his impact on the sport and society.